A SHORTAGE of firefighters meant a woman trapped waist-deep in mud in the New Forest had to be rescued by crews based several miles away.

Not enough on-call personnel were available yesterday when the 61-year-old fell into a bog sank up to her waist during a ramble in the New Forest.

The dramatic incident took place less than a mile from Lyndhurst fire station.

But it the incident was attended by firefighters from Brockenhurst, who freed the woman with the help of rescue specialists from Fareham and Redbridge.

Lyndhurst, like other fire stations across the Forest, is staffed by retained part-time personnel.

A former firefighter claimed that the station had not been able to attend other emergencies in the village, including at least two accidents.

He said: “They’re always struggling to get a crew out. There don’t seem to be enough people who are available to do the job.

“The mud rescue wasn’t a life or death situation but you can’t get away from the fact that Lyndhurst would have got there a lot quicker than Brockenhurst, who probably took about 10 minutes to reach the scene.”

The manpower shortage could result in the issue being raised with senior officers at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS).

Lyndhurst councillor Pat Wyeth told the Daily Echo: “If what’s being said is correct we need to approach the people in charge and ask questions.”

Asked about Lyndhurst’s inability to attend every incident she added: “If that’s the case and it’s becoming a trend, I would be concerned.”

A HFRS spokesman confirmed the firefighters from Brockenhurst were sent to rescue the woman trapped in mud.

He added: “Lyndhurst personnel were off-run so we sent the nearest available crew.

"It’s not possible to have all the retained firefighters available at the same time.”

Mark Rolle, chairman of the local parish council, said he not aware of any other incidents in which Lyndhurst crews had been unable to respond.

“If any issues are raised we will look into them, but as far as I’m aware their record in turning out to fires and accidents is impeccable,” he said.

The 61-year-old rambler was walking with a female friend when she fell into a bog and sank up to her waist.

Her companion used her mobile phone to raise the alarm and enlisted the help of two other walkers, who stood beside the Lyndhurst to Beaulieu road and directed the emergency services to the scene.

The rescued woman, who did not want to be identified, returned went home after being given a check-up by an ambulance crew.